News

Making Friends - Original Watercolour 16" x 12"
going to Auction at an event in Suffolk

I received a telephone call last week to let me know that a painting that I had donated had been auctioned at an event in Scotland. I was thrilled to find out that the painting had reached a sizeable sum to go to a variety of charities including "Combat Stress", "Help for Heroes" and "Erskine Recovery Centres".

The event organiser explained to me that her life is not focused on raising money, but to "be there" for our soldiers and their families. As she speaks from the heart, she has the ability to reach out and touch the hearts of others which ensures success in the events she organises.

I am totally humbled when I hear of the stories of great bravery and huge loss - I wish I could do more................

There are so many fantastic subjects that we can paint, inspiration comes from so many directions.

I am taking stock and really enjoying splashing out on some unusual subjects, looking for a different angle - something to create a stir, cause a reaction or a painting that simply states, this medium of watercolour is magical. I am so lucky to be able to do what I enjoy - my eyes are well and truly open to light, colour, character, transparency and all the things that make me say "wow"!

I am approaching the end of what has been an amazing month. A fantastic exhibition, wonderful workhops and lots of new faces - May will always now be a special month for me.

I have apologies for the many people waiting for commissioned paintings, after a very short break of a week, I will be painting again!

New subjects on the horizon are, Cornish Coastline, lots of animal studies and I am now addicted to flowers, so there will be more to follow on this too!

I cannot thank my wonderful students too, who have helped to make the workshops fun! If you wish to add your name to my mailing list, I will keep you posted regarding all future events.

This is the fourth day of my solo exhibition at East Lambrook Manor Gardens, "Seasons", and nearly half of the paintings have been sold. I would never have expected this in my wildest dreams!!! My students are also finding the venue a totally inspiring place to paint, what a wonderful start to the exhibition.

I was recently asked to donate a painting for a charity auction in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, and in memory of a little girl called Poppy. I was keen to find out whether my painting (similar to the one shown here) was successful at the auction but I wasn't prepared for the news that I received.....

As the bidding increased on the painting, which included bids from Poppy's mum and dad, the final moments saw the watercolour go to someone else. It was when I heard that the successful bidder then gave the painting to Poppy's mum and dad as a gift, that I realised that I have the best job in the world. The painting did raise a good sum for the charity and the total event raised over £12,000 for Great Ormond Street.

What can I say.

Never one to sit still, I cannot sit back and relax after the close of my exhibition at the A2 Gallery in Wells. The auction for Help for Heroes raised an amazing £1940 thanks to eveyone involved. I have registered another event and hope to raise further funds for our wounded soldiers.

My next exhibition at East Lambrook Manor Gardens is now not far away and I welcome you to come and view my paintings and this wonderful place at my preview on 1st May 2010. I am enjoying painting flowers and I know that we are soon to be greeting with the beautiful sight of daffodils heralding the approach of spring.

I am also busy painting for competitions and events, and of course preparing for tuition. There are workshops at East Lambrook Manor Gardens too. Please contact me to book a place.

East Lambrook Manor Gardens
"Seasons" Exhibition: 1st -31st May 2010.

I've heard so many people comment about the beautiful snowdrops and crocus. It is with excitement that I plan my next exhibition at East Lambrook Manor Gardens.

This is the most beautiful of venues to hold an exhibition. I welcome everyone to come and join me to celebrate a floral year at East Lambrook Manor gardens with my latest collection of watercolour paintings.

The preview is on Saturday 1st May 2-4.00pm and the exhibition will be available to view at the Malthouse until 31st May. I am looking to capture the flowers throughout the seasons with guidance from the comments in the book by the late Margery Fish. Please contact me info@kayeparmenter.co.uk and I will send you an invitation to the preview.

Thanks to Mike and Gail for welcoming me back - I'm so looking forward to May!

"Hugs"

February 2010 - it is with feelings ranging from excitement to anticipation that I head towards the two week period that contains my Solo Watercolour Exhibition and the Thanks-Giving Service at Wells Cathedral. The Exhibition Preview is on 13th February 2-4pm, please come and share a glass of wine with me at the A2 Gallery in Wells. Website www.a2gallery.co.uk

This painting "Hugs" is the final painting that will be exhibited on the 27th February in Wells Cathedral. The little hand clutching the back of the jacket says it all to me. The painting is being exhibited to give guests at the Cathedral a taste of the style of paintings they can expect to view at the gallery - 11 of which are available to purchase by silent auction with all proceeds going directly to Help for Heroes.

Everyone is welcome to the Gallery - please do come to see my paintings and also help to spread the word. The A2 Gallery opens at 10.00am and Cathedral Guests are more than welcome to come along to the gallery either before or after the service.

"Down by the waterhole"

I'm now painting exclusively for my exhibition in February 2010 at the A2 gallery in Wells (13th-27th). The elephants will be part of 40 celebratory watercolours accompanying the 11 charity paintings, in support of Help for Heroes.

I would like to the exhibition to be uplifting. The paintings in support of "Help for Heroes" are quite emotional, but I hope the remainder of the paintings to be a complete celebration of the freedom to paint. I'm aiming to encompass colour, feeling, freedom.

If you would like me to keep you advised of progress on the paintings, please add your name to my mailing list info@kayeparmenter.co.uk

There has been a fantastic response to the paintings so far and judging by the increase to the hit rate on the website, lots of people are viewing - please pass the word around!

"Break Free"

Selected to be exhibited at the Mall Galleries, London, Art Liberating Lives, 2009. December 16-20th.

Sold on the preview evening

November: This gerbera is a commissioned watercolour painting which is to be used for a design on wedding stationery. Following from this, the bride-to-be wondered if I could capture her bouquet as a watercolour painting. I love painting flowers and am fascinated by this subject, watch this space!

I have an exhibition of paintings in May 2010 celebrating a year of flowers at East Lambrook Manor Gardens.......if you would like an invitation to the preview, please contact info@kayeparmenter.co.uk

October: In the picturesque village of Leigh, Dorset, is a fabulous village hall renovated by the residents of Leigh. Whilst the hall is finished, fund-raising still continues to help finance the costs.

I attended a charity auction at the hall with two paintings and the offer of a pet portrait commission. The evening was great fun and, with the help of three impromptu auctioneers from the audience, my paintings raised in the region of £250 helping towards the total for the evening of £1500.

It was evident that there is a close community spirit here and I wish everyone the very best in the future success of the village hall. I am keen to return - perhaps I can hold a watercolour painting session in the hall! Email info@kayeparmenter.co.uk

"Rooster" Awarded Chairman's Choice
Bath and West Show 2009